Young adults with polyps

[LPNGirl07]

I was wondering if any other young adults have been diagnosed with colon polyps? I'm a 34/f who was recently diagnosed with a 1.1 cm "Tubulovillous adenoma" during a colonoscopy (was seeing blood/mucous in stool for about 6 months). The lab report came back that it was benign, and my GI doctor said follow up with him in 3 years. From what my GI doctor told me, and what I've read about these, they are considered precancerous. Following up in 3 years makes me nervous. I'm going to see if he will see me before then to make sure I don't have more in a few months. The GI doctor said that since polyp was benign, he felt bleeding was coming from hemorrhoids from child birth (which he banded & bleeding has stopped). These polyps appear to be somewhat rare in adults under 45. I was just wondering if anyone else has been through something similar?

[LPNGirl07]

Hi Annie, thanks for your reply. I'm sorry that you had to deal with that at age 35. I hope you are doing well now. There isn't a family history in our family either that I know of, but my mom & dad are both in the early 50s, and haven't had colonoscopies. My GI doctor has told me that they need to have one very soon, since I have adenomas. I know colon cancer doesn't care what age you are. Ironically, my husband's first wife passed away from colon cancer in her early 20s in the late 1990s (they were only married about 10 months, and didn't have children). She had no symptoms except sudden stomach pain & nausea. She thought she had the flu or a stomach virus, but had late stage IV colon cancer. I can't believe he's going through all of this colon stuff again now with me... How long have you been cancer free? Did your cancer start in an adenoma polyp? How often do you get colonoscopies? Did you get genetic testing? I am supposed to follow up with my GI doctor soon & am going to ask if I can get my next colonoscopy in a year or two. Waiting 3 years makes me a little nervous... I hope you are doing well now.

[Annie_777]

I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 35. I don't have a family history. Besides the malignant tumor, I also have a number of precancerous polyps in my sigmoid and rectum. It's not that uncommon. These polyps grow slowly. The reason your MD wants f/u in 3 years is that she's afraid if she misses anything in the initial scope. But after the next one, you are safe to go on longer intervals.

[LPNGirl07]

Hi Halfpint, thanks for your reply. I don't have IBS, but my sister does. During my colonoscopy my GI doctor diagnosed me with the adenoma polyp, diverticulosis & hemorrhoids. He banded the hemorrhoids, & after I had the colonoscopy my bleeding stopped. The doctor thought the hemorrhoids were the cause of bleeding, but I think maybe the polyp was causing it. Did you have a tubulovillous adenoma as well? Do you have another colonoscopy next year? I hope your upcoming colonoscopies are normal. I dread my next one. I hated the prep.

[Halfpint3306]

I am 39f. I had my colonoscopy done 2 years ago because I had the same things going on.  Found 2 polyps, 1 was 5 cm. the other was 3cm. Both benign and was told I had to repeat the colonoscopy in 3 years. I'm going in to have a endoscopy (stomach) looked at. My GI doc said I have IBS. I've had this for years and pass blood every few years. Just make sure you eat plenty of fiber and lots of was. Low fat diet. Good luck.

[Halfpint3306]

I am 39f. I had my colonoscopy done 2 years ago because I had the same things going on.  Found 2 polyps, 1 was 5 cm. the other was 3cm. Both benign and was told I had to repeat the colonoscopy in 3 years. I'm going in to have a endoscopy (stomach) looked at. My GI doc said I have IBS. I've had this for years and pass blood every few years. Just make sure you eat plenty of fiber and lots of was. Low fat diet. Good luck.